Patents Issued in January 7, 2020
  • Patent number: 10525971
    Abstract: A control device in a hybrid vehicle in which control is performed so that the hybrid vehicle can travel using only one shift mechanism from two shift mechanisms is provided. The control device in the hybrid vehicle includes: a transmission including: a first input shaft connected to a motor and optionally connected to an engine; a second input shaft optionally connected to the engine; an output shaft configured to output to power to drive wheels; a first shift mechanism including a plurality of shift gears optionally coupled to the first input shaft; and a second shift mechanism including a plurality of other shift gears optionally coupled to the second input shaft; and an electronic control unit (ECU), wherein the ECU starts the engine with the first input shaft using the motor if none of the shift gears in the first shift mechanism is engaged when the engine is not operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Iwashita, Naoyuki Mimatsu, Kazuhiko Kitano
  • Patent number: 10525972
    Abstract: Provided is a control device for a hybrid vehicle including a controller that performs a control of the hybrid vehicle including an engine and an electric motor that serve as driving sources, a transmission, and first and second clutches. The first clutch is provided between the engine and the transmission. The second clutch is provided between the transmission and driving wheels. The controller includes first and second control units. The first control unit performs a control, in a motor traveling mode, to bring the first clutch to a disengaged state. The motor traveling mode includes traveling solely with the electric motor being driven. The second control unit performs a control, in the motor traveling mode, to bring the second clutch to a mildly engaged state in which input, from the driving-wheel side, of torque larger than driving torque causes the second clutch to slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuya Inoue
  • Patent number: 10525973
    Abstract: A vehicle traveling control device includes: a deceleration correction determination unit, a lane detection evaluation unit, a control gain setting unit, and a deceleration control unit. The deceleration correction determination unit acquires information on a curve ahead of a host vehicle and determines on a basis of the curve information whether host vehicle speed deceleration correction is necessary during entry to the curve. The lane detection evaluation unit evaluates a road surface situation of a road prior to the curve entry by a state of detection of a lane ahead of the curve in a case where the deceleration correction is determined necessary. The control gain setting unit sets a control gain of the deceleration correction on a basis of an evaluation value of the lane detection state. The deceleration control unit performs host vehicle speed deceleration control during the curve entry on the basis of the control gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masato Mizoguchi
  • Patent number: 10525974
    Abstract: The present invention provides a parking trajectory calculation apparatus and a parking trajectory calculation method capable of calculating a parking trajectory from an arbitrary parking start position. An aspect of the present invention recognizes a parking space for parking a subject vehicle in a preset limited area Area1, calculates a first parking trajectory from P1 to P0 for guiding the subject vehicle from the arbitrary parking start position to the parking space by causing the subject vehicle to first move backward, calculates a second parking trajectory from P2 to P0 by causing the subject vehicle to move backward after moving forward if the first parking trajectory from P1 to P0 cannot be calculated, and ends the calculation of the parking trajectory if the second parking trajectory from P2 to P0 cannot be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuki Nakada
  • Patent number: 10525975
    Abstract: A method for regulating a speed of a vehicle, in which a cruise control unit is provided to set a speed and a sensor system, which is directed in a direction of travel, is provided to detect an environment by spatially resolving electromagnetic radiation, the method including: defining a specified speed; setting a safety speed that is reduced with respect to the specified speed by the cruise control unit; detecting a lane change of the vehicle by the sensor system; detecting an exit ramp within a predicted travel path of the vehicle using the sensor system; and limiting the speed that is settable by the cruise control unit to a value below the specified speed. Also described is a related device and vehicle having such a device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Mátyás Krabot, Simon Felipe Duque Velez
  • Patent number: 10525976
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a vehicle (1) having a torque generating machine (4); and one or more driven wheel (WD). A driveline (6) is provided for transmitting torque from the torque generating machine (4) to said one or more driven wheel. The driveline (6) includes a torque transmitting means (8). A first decoupling mechanism (11) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). The first decoupling mechanism (11) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the torque generating machine (4) and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the torque generating machine (4). A second decoupling mechanism (12) is operable to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel. The second decoupling mechanism (12) is closed to couple the torque transmitting means (8) to the one or more driven wheel and is opened to decouple the torque transmitting means (8) from the one or more driven wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Russell Osborn, Thomas Valero, Olivier Roques
  • Patent number: 10525977
    Abstract: A server and a method for automatically controlling regenerative braking of an eco-friendly vehicle are provided. A regenerative braking level is calculated by considering driving information and a driving environment of a vehicle using a regenerative braking controlling server. The calculated regenerative braking level is transmitted to a regenerative braking controlling apparatus mounted within the vehicle and thus, even though a vehicle driver does not directly set the regenerative braking level, the regenerative braking level transmitted from the regenerative braking controlling server is received through the regenerative braking controlling apparatus of the vehicle to perform regenerative braking, thereby enhancing driving convenience and stability, and fuel efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Young You, Sang Woo Park, Jung Seob Park, Kang Ju Cha, Jang Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 10525978
    Abstract: A method for controlling a parking mode for a vehicle includes detecting an activation action of a user of the vehicle, determining a movement status of the vehicle, and activating a parking mode for the vehicle by closing a parking brake of a brake device of the vehicle and by engaging a gearshift lock of a transmission of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Peter Megyesi, Alfred Aden, Michael Bott, Thomas Eggert, Christoph Braeuninger, Oliver Baenfer, Marc Albrecht
  • Patent number: 10525979
    Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically detecting that a driver of a smart vehicle is impaired and subsequently performing a graduated response are provided. According to certain aspects, vehicle sensors may generate and transmit sensor data indicating that the driver of the smart vehicle is impaired. In response, the smart vehicle may analyze the data and determine a primary response to the indication of impairment. The primary response may be performed by the smart vehicle's control systems. Subsequently, the vehicle sensors may generate and transmit another set of sensor data indicating that the driver of the smart vehicle is impaired. In response, the smart vehicle may analyze the data and determine a secondary response to the indication of impairment. The secondary response may be performed by the smart vehicle's control systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY
    Inventor: Rosemarie Geier Grant
  • Patent number: 10525980
    Abstract: An arousal support system includes: a dialogue processing unit configured to output a dialogue speech in a form of a question, and obtain response speech which is a response of a driver to the dialogue speech; a response time measuring unit configured to measure a response time from the dialogue processing unit outputs the dialogue speech till the dialogue processing unit obtains the response speech; a database storing the response time measured by the response time measuring unit; a statistic calculating unit configured to calculate a statistical value of the response time based on one or more response times stored in the database; and a first estimating unit configured to derive, based on the response time measured by the response time measuring unit and the statistical value calculated by the statistic calculating unit, an estimated value of wakefulness of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Inoue
  • Patent number: 10525981
    Abstract: The driver condition detection system comprises a driver monitor camera provided in a vehicle and capturing a driver of the vehicle to generate an image of the driver, and a driver condition judging part configured to judge a condition of the driver based on the image of the driver. The driver condition judging part is configured to judge that the driver is not in a condition able to drive if detecting the driver slumping against the steering wheel based on the image of the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Matsumura
  • Patent number: 10525982
    Abstract: A variable valve, method, and diagnostic system are provided that determine accuracy of a position of a variable valve. The variable valve, method, and diagnostic system are configured to determine a system error, the system error being the difference between a commanded position of the valve and a measured position of the valve provided through a feedback signal of the valve. The variable valve, method, and diagnostic system are further configured to determine that a diagnostic accuracy passing condition is met if: a) the system error is less than a predetermined positive error threshold and greater than a predetermined negative error threshold; b) a rate of change of the measured position exceeds a predetermined positive feedback rate threshold; or c) the rate of change of the measured position is less than a predetermined negative feedback rate threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Piranavan Suntharalingam
  • Patent number: 10525983
    Abstract: An automatic driving system, that switches a driving state of a vehicle from automatic driving to manual driving due to a driver's operation during automatic driving of the vehicle, includes an electronic control unit configured to: determine whether a turning-off condition is satisfied when a direction indicator under the automatic driving is in a turned-on state and the driver's operation is performed; switch a driving state from the automatic driving to the manual driving and maintain the turned-on state of the direction indicator when the direction indicator is in the turned-on state and the driver's operation has been performed; determine whether the turning-off condition is satisfied based on a position of the vehicle under the manual driving or a traveling state of the vehicle under the manual driving; switch the direction indicator from the turned-on state to the turned-off state when it is determined that the turning-off condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kentaro Ichikawa, Kunihito Satou, Bunyo Okumura, Maiko Hirano
  • Patent number: 10525984
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing resource allocation are provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the system uses an attention buffer to classify glances by a person and/or automated system, the buffer determining the impact the glances have on the person and/or automated system's situation awareness level. The attention buffer calculates on a continuous basis a buffer value that is representative of the situation awareness level for the person and/or automated system at a particular moment in time. The calculated buffer values, referred to as moment-to-moment buffer values, among other names, can be used as data points, and/or they can also be used to direct action by the system and/or person to alter the situation awareness level of the person and/or automated system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Bobbie Danielle Seppelt, Joonbum Lee, Linda Sala Angell, Bryan L. Reimer, Bruce L. Mehler, Joseph F. Coughlin
  • Patent number: 10525985
    Abstract: An information output apparatus for a straddle vehicle is configured to provide output information to a driver, and includes a receiving unit configured to receive input information input by the driver, a learning unit configured to learn an input tendency that is a tendency of the input information by the driver based on the input information received by the receiving unit, a generating unit configured to generate the output information according to a learned content learned by the learning unit, and an output unit configured to cause a sound device to output the output information generated by the generating unit in a form of a voice in natural language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masanori Kinuhata, Masayuki Enomoto, Hiroshi Ishii
  • Patent number: 10525986
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, devices and methods for steering wheel haptic notification. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a detected hand position relative to a steering wheel of a vehicle and detecting at least one object relative to the vehicle. Based on the hand position, actuation of at least one haptic notification element of the steering wheel may be controlled to indicate position of the object. In certain embodiments, hand position may be detected by capacitive sensing of the steering wheel. In other embodiments, the vehicle may include an imaging device facing the steering wheel to determine hand position. Object location may be mapped to the steering wheel based on hand position. The actuators of the steering wheel may increase the steering wheel thickness or raise at least a portion of the actuator area to indicate the direction of a detected object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Harman International Industries, Incorporated
    Inventor: Juan Garcia
  • Patent number: 10525987
    Abstract: A method for automatic user adaptation of a stimulus characteristic of an operator control element includes actuating the operator control element with a stimulus characteristic such that upon actuation by the operator, the operator control element transmits to the operator a tactually perceptible opposing force of predefined intensity which opposes the actuation force and/or a tactually perceptible oscillation of predefined intensity. Following the actuation of the active operator control element it is checked whether the reaction of the operator to the opposing force and/or oscillation occurs within a predefined time period. When the predefined time period is undershot, the intensity of the stimulus characteristic is reduced and stored, and when the time period is exceeded the intensity of the stimulus characteristic is increased and stored. The stored modified stimulus characteristic is used for the next actuation of the active operator control element by the vehicle control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Daniel Lepczyk
  • Patent number: 10525988
    Abstract: Aspects and embodiments of inductively heated tank cars are described. In one embodiment, an inductive heating system for tank cars includes a radially-curved pancake coil, a coil housing that surrounds at least a portion of the radially-curved pancake coil, and a frame structure comprising at least one attachment mechanism to secure the frame structure to an exterior surface of a tank car. The system can also include an induction heating power supply to supply power for inductively heating the tank car using the radially-curved pancake coil. When installed to the tank car, the coil housing is assembled with the frame structure to secure the radially-curved pancake coil to the exterior surface of the tank car. Any number of radially-curved pancake coils can be secured to the exterior surface of the tank car to heat the contents of the tank car through inductive heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: HYDRA HEATING INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Hoffman
  • Patent number: 10525989
    Abstract: A rail car key adaptor tool made of a shank piece with width less than 1½ inches is connected to another durable material piece in which one material piece is longer than the other at 90 degree on the long side. Top plate with two arms is connected to the shank piece at the edge at 90 degree. A durable triangle piece connecting the two arms next to the shank piece; and a round handle connected at both of arms of the top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventors: Quintin E. Chambers, Deborah J. Bussell-Chambers
  • Patent number: 10525990
    Abstract: A wiring system is described in particular for the electrical connection between a first and a second carriage of a railway vehicle; the wiring system has at least one mobile wiring having a first and a second end connected to a respective connector designed for coupling to fixed panel elements carried by facing outside walls of the first and respectively, second carriages. The mobile wiring has a single sheath enclosing a number of cables separate and distinct, each designed for a different application, jointly designed to provide complete connectivity in terms of data and control signals between the carriages. The wiring system also provides for a first and a second fixed wiring, each arranged at a respective carriage, and designed to interface electrically with a respective end of the mobile wiring for the corresponding electrical connection to on-board equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TECNIKABEL S.P.A.
    Inventors: Diego Clerici, Andrea Piccini
  • Patent number: 10525991
    Abstract: A system is provided that includes a detection circuit having a first and second sensor. The first sensor is configured to measure a rotational speed of a first wheel. The second sensor is coupled to a vehicle chassis and configured to measure a position over time of the vehicle chassis. The system further includes a controller circuit configured to determine a shock frequency based on the position of the vehicle chassis. The controller circuit is further configured to determine a condition (e.g., an anomalous condition) of the first wheel based on the shock frequency and the rotational speed, and may be further configured for vehicle control based on the determined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: GE GLOBAL SOURCING LLC
    Inventor: David Michael Peltz
  • Patent number: 10525992
    Abstract: A light signal, in particular for rail-bound traffic routes, includes a control device which controls a light source, and an optical system for visualizing a signal term. In order to more precisely adjust brightness boundaries, light distribution and phantom light intensity, a transmission-controllable smart-glass element is provided in an aperture segment of the light flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventors: Rolf Eckl, Kay Koester, Zeljko Marincic
  • Patent number: 10525993
    Abstract: A railway turnout control method comprises: constructing a data space corresponding to a railway turnout area (101); adding a virtual railway turnout, in the data space, to an area in which a target turnback stopping point is located (102); adding the virtual railway turnout to a railway turnout list corresponding to a route along which a train drives into the area (103); and not releasing claim of the virtual railway turnout when the train stops at the turnback stopping point (104); Also provided is a railway turnout control system. The method and system can solve problems of deadlock of a turnback area and insufficient safety protection of crossed routes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: COORDEM TRANSPORT TECH. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mancang Hou
  • Patent number: 10525994
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the angular velocity of a railway vehicle circulating on a track, the vehicle including an inertial unit including at least one angular velocity sensor, the method including measuring an instantaneous angular velocity provided by the sensor, determining the bias of the angular velocity measured around at least one axis, the velocity bias being taken as equal to the value of the angular velocity measured around this axis when the measured angular velocity is substantially constant for a predetermined period, and calculating the evaluated angular velocity, by subtracting from the measured angular velocity, the previously determined velocity bias.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventor: Jean Le Bastard
  • Patent number: 10525995
    Abstract: A safeguarding system for an emergency fish-plate connector is fastened to a rail base of the rail and has a distance measuring device for supplying a measuring value registering a distance a between the emergency fish-plate connector and the safeguarding system. For transmission of the detected measuring values and of an identifying signal—enabling a locally unambiguous correlation of the emergency fish-plate connector with regard to the track—to a control station, the safeguarding system is equipped with a radio device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Robel Bahnbaumaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Otto Widlroither
  • Patent number: 10525996
    Abstract: A wheelbarrow conversion assembly for facilitating a wheelbarrow to be rolled without lifting the wheelbarrow includes a wheelbarrow that has a bucket and a pair of support legs. A bracket is removably coupled to the wheelbarrow and the bracket is positioned on each of the support legs. A pair of rollers is each of the rollers is rotatably coupled to the bracket to roll along a support surface. Each of the rollers supports weight of the wheelbarrow to facilitate the wheelbarrow to be rolled without lifting the wheelbarrow. In this way the rollers facilitate a physically disabled user to roll the wheelbarrow along the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventors: Jerry Donald, Barbara Donald
  • Patent number: 10525997
    Abstract: A hand truck includes a main frame mechanism and a clamping mechanism. The main frame mechanism includes a main frame unit configured to carry an article, and a wheel unit connected to the main frame unit for moving the main frame unit. The clamping mechanism includes two clamping frame units disposed movably and respectively on left and right sides of the main frame unit. The clamping frame units are driven to move relative to the main frame unit between a clamped state and an unclamped state, in which the clamping frame units are moved close to and away from each other to clamp and release therebetween the article, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Chung-Hsiu Su
  • Patent number: 10525998
    Abstract: A power assist system for a wagon having a safety cut-off system is provided. The power assist system preferably includes a wagon body having a plurality of wheels, at least one of which is a driven wheel, a pivotable handle, a drive system having a motor mechanically connected to the driven wheel, a microcontroller that obtains an input signal and provides an output signal to the drive system and, a safety cut-off system connected to the handle. In one embodiment the safety cut-off system includes a safety-control switch electrically connected to the microcontroller, and the microcontroller adjusts the signal sent to the drive system based on a state of the safety-control switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Radio Flyer Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Young, Daniel R. Greenberg
  • Patent number: 10525999
    Abstract: A device for transporting a child, particularly one that is provided with a collapsible seat. The seat is coupled to the obliquely upward extending first arms by connecting arms which can slide away from the undercarriage in the first arms. This sliding movement takes place automatically after sufficient downward rotation of the second arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Mutsy B.V.
    Inventor: Franciscus Johannes Cornelius Driessen
  • Patent number: 10526000
    Abstract: A child stroller apparatus includes a rear and a front leg frame respectively having a first and a second side segment, and a handle frame having a grip portion and a third side segment that are respectively connected fixedly with a first and a second joining part pivotally connected with each other, the second and third side segments being respectively connected pivotally with the first side segment. A latch is disposed between the first and second joining parts, and can lock the grip portion in an unfolded position relative to the third side segment. A cable has two opposite ends respectively anchored with the grip portion and the third side segment, wraps around a prominent portion provided on one of the first and second joining parts, and is tensioned to bias the grip portion to fold toward the third side segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: WONDERLAND SWITZERLAND AG
    Inventor: Andrew J. Horst
  • Patent number: 10526001
    Abstract: The sleigh bed platform is intended for use in ice fishing for transport of equipment such as a tent shelter and sized to accommodate a single reclining person for rest on the ice. Sleigh bed invention is very light easy to pull across thin ice. Three laminated plastic layers with a inner component of expanded polystyrene form a rigid truss and thermal barrier that makes the sleigh bed a comfortable resting place. Expanded polystyrene is insulation and extremely buoyant providing a float in cases of breaking thru lake ice. Multiple soft rope handles secure loads with no sharp edges around the bed. A second invention use is for evacuation of injured skiers. Lightweight sleigh bed is easy to carry to an injured skier. A rigid front handle facilitates moving down hill with a passenger secured to the sleigh bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Inventor: Paul Douglas Shervey
  • Patent number: 10526002
    Abstract: An arrangement of a steering wheel in a motor vehicle suitable for autonomous driving is provided, wherein the steering wheel can be pivoted or tilted from a usage position into a rest position, in which the driver of the vehicle can still specify a steering request by rotating the steering wheel. The pivoting or tilting of the steering wheel from the usage position into the rest position switches on an autonomous vehicle operating mode, in which the vehicle moves along the roadway without assistance from the driver, whereas pivoting or tilting of the steering wheel from the rest position into the usage position switches off the autonomous vehicle operating mode. For this purpose, the steering wheel rim can be pivotably or tiltably attached to a spoke of the steering wheel, which spoke is stationary or connected to the steering wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Felix Schwarz, Philipp Kerschbaum, Julian Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 10526003
    Abstract: A shroud guidance mechanism for a steering column is provided. The shroud guidance mechanism includes a bracket operatively coupled to an upper jacket. Also included is an interface feature retained to the bracket in a first condition of the steering column. Further included is a shroud operatively coupled to the interface feature and to the upper jacket, the interface feature, the upper jacket and the shroud moveable with each other to decouple the interface feature from the bracket in a second condition of the steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas M. Messing, Benjamin D. Reichard, Joel T. Cerva
  • Patent number: 10526004
    Abstract: A device for assisting or automatic guiding of a motor vehicle, having a first steering actuator with an allocated steering control unit, a gear rack, a steering column and a steering handle, wherein the steering column and the steering actuator have effect on the common gear rack, wherein there is at least one second steering actuator having an additional allocated steering control unit, wherein the second steering actuator has effect on the common gear rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventor: Bastian Witte
  • Patent number: 10526005
    Abstract: A power converter for a three-phase electric rotary machine including first and second winding sets includes: first and second inverters corresponding to the first and second winding sets, respectively; and a control unit including a command calculation unit that calculates first and second voltage command values related to voltages to be applied to the first and second winding sets, and an excess correction unit that corrects first and second voltage command corresponding values corresponding to the first and second voltage command values. When one of the first and second voltage command corresponding values exceeds a limitation value which is set in accordance with a voltage capable of being outputted, the excess correction unit performs an excess correction process for correcting the other of the first and second voltage command corresponding values in accordance with an excess amount over the limitation value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 10526006
    Abstract: A torque transmitting assembly is provided. The assembly includes a ball nut having an outer diameter and keyway slot therein, and a pulley positioned on the ball nut. The pulley includes a cylindrical outer surface, a bore extending through the pulley such that the pulley includes an inner surface, and at least one torque member formed on the inner surface and projecting radially inward to be received by the keyway slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: STEERING SOLUTIONS IP HOLDING CORPORATION
    Inventors: James J. Shavrnoch, Troy P. Strieter, Tony M. Dodak, Jeffrey M. Otto, Conrad G. Vorwerck
  • Patent number: 10526007
    Abstract: Provided is a power conversion device for suppressing a variation amount of a bus current to decrease a power loss in consideration of control of detecting the bus current during operation. In control by a power conversion part in accordance with a switching signal, a voltage vector is caused to bring a mode into a power running mode at a timing of detecting the bus current when an AC rotating machine is in a power running operation state, and the voltage vector is caused to bring the mode into a regeneration mode at a timing of detecting the bus current when the AC rotating machine is in a regeneration operation state, thereby decreasing the power loss due to the variation in the bus current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Furukawa, Tatsuya Mori
  • Patent number: 10526008
    Abstract: Technical solutions are described for applying machine current limiting in permanent magnet synchronous motors. An example system includes a PMSM and a motor control system. The motor control system is configured to receive a torque command and determine whether the torque command can be satisfied based on a given voltage and a given maximum motor current limit. The motor control system is further configured to, responsive to determining that the torque command can be satisfied, determine a minimum current that satisfies the torque command. The motor control system is further configured to send the minimum current as a minimum current command to the PMSM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Haibo Li, Prerit Pramod
  • Patent number: 10526009
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus that reduces uncomfortable feeling to a driver in steering angle control by improving followability of an actual steering angle to a target steering angle, and performs efficient damping to a vibration of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a torque control section that calculates a first motor current command value based on a steering torque and so on, a target steering angle generating section that generates a target steering angle based on vehicle information, and a steering angle control section that calculates a second motor current command value based on the target steering angle, an actual steering angle and so on, and calculates the motor current command value by the first and second motor current command values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Takahiro Tsubaki
  • Patent number: 10526010
    Abstract: An electric power steering apparatus includes a control substrate that controls a poly-phase motor having a multi-system motor winding, including a temperature sensor that detects a substrate temperature of said control substrate; and a coil temperature estimating section that obtains coil calorific values of respective phases of said poly-phase motor and a substrate calorific value of said control substrate by a motor current of said phase, and estimates a coil temperature of said phase by said coil calorific value, said substrate calorific value and said substrate temperature based on a heat transfer phenomenon between said respective phases that is caused by a difference in temperature between coils of said respective phases and a heat transfer phenomenon between said coil and said control substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro Tsubaki, Haruhiko Kamiguchi, Tomohiro Miura, Nobuaki Kogure
  • Patent number: 10526011
    Abstract: A ball-nut steering system of a conventional vehicle includes a first and a second cylinder chamber for receiving a fluid, a first feed line for conducting fluid from a pump to the first cylinder chamber, and a device for damping and/or easing pulsations of the fluid. The device is arranged inside the first cylinder chamber and/or inside the first feed line. The first cylinder chamber has a smaller volume for receiving the fluid than the second cylinder chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: Robert Bosch Automotive Steering, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Linde, Michael Merinsky
  • Patent number: 10526012
    Abstract: A method for side slip angle variable control of a vehicle having a rear wheel steering system, may include a first step of determining a first steering angle ratio value which corresponds to a steering angle ratio of a front wheel and a rear wheel in a driver driving mode and determining a second steering angle ratio value which corresponds to the steering angle ratio of the front wheel and the rear wheel in an autonomous driving mode; a second step of determining a rear-wheel steering angle through determination by the second steering angle ratio value and comparing the rear-wheel steering angle with a predetermined maximum steering angle of a rear wheel steering (RWS); and a third step of determining any one driving mode of the driver driving mode and the autonomous driving mode when the rear-wheel steering angle is determined to be smaller than the RWS maximum steering angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, KIA Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jang Hyun Jung
  • Patent number: 10526013
    Abstract: A parking assist apparatus includes: a distance obtaining portion that obtains a movement distance from a current position of a vehicle to a parking target position; a vehicle speed calculating portion that calculates a target vehicle speed with a lapse of time until the vehicle reaches the parking target position, based on the movement distance, and a vehicle speed and acceleration and deceleration which are set in advance; a position calculating portion that calculates a movement target position of the vehicle in accordance with the time until the vehicle reaches the parking target position, based on the target vehicle speed with the lapse of time; and a controller that controls a vehicle running state such that the vehicle is moved to the movement target position at the target vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuichi Mizutani, Tetsuya Ohira
  • Patent number: 10526014
    Abstract: A regulable vibration damper, which may be utilized in a vehicle chassis, for example, may comprise a cylinder barrel that contains hydraulic fluid in sealed-off fashion, a piston that is axially movable within the cylinder barrel along a cylinder barrel axis and that divides the cylinder barrel into two working chambers, and a piston rod oriented parallel to the cylinder barrel axis and that is connected to the piston. The piston may comprise at least two fluid leadthroughs that connect the working chambers. A first valve assembly for damping piston movement in a first actuation direction may be arranged at a first fluid leadthrough, and a second valve assembly for damping piston movement in a second actuation direction may be arranged at a second fluid leadthrough. In the piston, one or more bypass ducts with throughflow cross sections of different size for the two throughflow directions may form fluidic connections between the two working chambers that bypass the vestibules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignees: THYSSENKRUPP BILSTEIN GMBH, THYSSENKRUPP AG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hamers, Dmitrij Smeljanskij
  • Patent number: 10526015
    Abstract: A push arm is coupled to a vehicle frame proximate an intersection of a first side member and a first cross-member. A rear surface of the push arm is located adjacent to a front suspension structure with a gap defined therebetween. The push arm extends forward and laterally outward such that a front surface of the push arm is located outboard of and spaced apart from a front end of the first side member. An energy absorbing structure is positioned within the gap and is attached to the rear surface of the push arm and is spaced apart from the front suspension structure in a non-impacted state. The energy absorbing structure is configured such that in response to an off-center impact event, impact force to the energy absorbing structure pushes the energy absorbing structure into contact with the front suspension structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Takemi Nishikawa, Kazunori Iimi, Takao Tani, Hideo Aimoto, Naoki Kamizawa, Patrick Dean Grattan, Perry McConnell
  • Patent number: 10526016
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle front section structure including: a pair of front side members that extend in a vehicle front-rear direction; a cross member extending between the front side members; outriggers that are provided running in the vehicle front-rear direction at a vehicle upper side of the front side members, with each of the outriggers extending toward a corresponding front side member at a vehicle front side; joining members that are each joined to a corresponding front side member, the cross member, and a corresponding outrigger; and a suspension member that is fixed to a fixing portion provided at each joining member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shunsuke Takii
  • Patent number: 10526017
    Abstract: A structural member extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction. An off-center impact structure has a first member and a second member. The first member has a linear portion and an offset portion both having a hollow interior. The first linear portion extends through a first opening in the structural member in a direction perpendicular to the structural member and further extends in an outboard direction from the structural member. The offset portion is angularly offset from the first linear portion and extends laterally outboard and forward relative to the structural member. The second member has a first section and a second section. The first section is disposed within the hollow interior of the linear portion of the first member and the second section extends through of an opening in the first member outboard from the opening of the first member away from the hollow interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Nissan North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Ramses Grattan
  • Patent number: 10526018
    Abstract: A front end module (10) has a cross member (12) that connects to longitudinal members (14) of a motor vehicle frame for carrying away loads from a bumper. An actuating rod (18) can pivot relative to the front wheel (22) due to relative movement of a part of the cross member (12) in the direction of travel of the motor vehicle during a small overlap crash. The actuating rod (18) in the pivoted-out state for rotating the front wheel (24) radially within a wheel rim ring (28) of the rim (22) can be gripped at the rim (22). Damage to the front wheel (24) by plastic deformation of the front end module (10) and by the actuating rod (18) can be avoided to permit satisfactory crash behavior of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Burbulla, Xuan Li, Herbert Klamser
  • Patent number: 10526019
    Abstract: A vehicle auxiliary storage compartment comprising a floor, a back wall that extends upward from the floor, and a front wall that extends upward from floor opposite the back wall, and a pair of opposing sidewalls disposed at opposing ends of the front wall and the back wall. The front wall is defined by a back side of a seating structure of a vehicle in which the auxiliary storage compartment is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Jhant, Matthew Baekelandt, Christopher Furman
  • Patent number: 10526020
    Abstract: A side body structure of a vehicle is provided, which includes a hinge pillar extending in vertical directions of the vehicle, a hinge reinforcement disposed in the hinge pillar, and a reinforcing member disposed in the hinge pillar and extending in the vertical directions. The hinge reinforcement is provided with an overlapping section provided on a rear side of a portion of the reinforcing member and overlapping in the vertical directions with the portion when viewed from a vehicle front side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Narahara, Shuichi Nakagami, Hiroshi Matsubara, Katsuhisa Miyoshi